Colonel Richard Beale Colvin

Richard Beale Colvin was born on 4 August 1856 the son of
wealthy Mr and Mrs Beale Blackwell Colvin who lived at
Pishiobury, Hertfordshire.

Photograph from The Essex Regiment Vol 5 published 1932

Richard was educated at Eton and Cambridge University.

In 1879 he joined the East Essex Militia as an officer,
transferring to the Loyal Suffolk Hussars in 1889 as second in
Command. He was made a JP in the same year.

In 1885 he moved to Felix Hall at Kelveden, Essex and took
over as master of the East Essex Foxhounds.

In 1890 he became High Sherriff of Essex a position he was to
hold again in 1934.

At the start of the Boer War he was appointed as Deputy
Assistant Adjutant General for the Special Corps of Imperial
Yeomanry and then given command of the 20th battalion Imperial
Yeomanry who became known as the Rough Riders.

He was mentioned in despatches during the Boer war and was
awarded the Queen's Medal with four clasps and the CB Military.

On his return to England he approached the local Hunts and
raised an Essex Yeomanry with one unit from each hunt in Essex
and took command of the new body.

In 1905 he became President of the Essex Rifle Association
remaining on their committee up to his death.

In 1908 he was appointed as chairman of the Essex territorial
Force Association becoming it's President, a position that he
held until his death.

In 1910 when he resigned as commander of the Essex
Yeomanry he was awarded the Territorial Medal and a CB (
Civilian). He also was appointed as Essex Director of the red
Cross

In 1914 Colonel Colvin raised and commanded the 2nd Essex
Yeomanry for a period before he was given command of the 2nd
London Mounted Brigade who were tasked with Home Defence. Je was
awarded the honorary title of Brigadier General.

His next task was to act as County Commandant of the Essex
Volunteers whom he organised into seven battalions to number
over 10,000 men of all ranks including a motor transport corps
before moving to France as Area Commandant.

In 1917 he returned to England as Hon Colonel of the Essex
Volunteer Regiment and in 1922 Hon Colonel of the 104th Brigade
RFA ( Essex Yeomanry) and the 54th ( East Anglian) Signals.

He was for many years President of the Essex Yeomanry Old
Comrades.

He was also County Commissioner for the Boy Scouts

In 1918 and 1923 he was elected as the MP for Epping
representing the Unionist Party. he accepted.

In 1926 he was appointed as Assistant Provincial Grand master
of Essex Freemasons, later to become the Grand Master.

In 1929 he was appointed as Lord Lieutenant of Essex and in
1934 was created a Knight Commander of the Bath.

Richard Colvin died at his home at Monkhams, Waltham Abbey,
aged 80 years, on 17 January 1936.

His funeral was held at Chelmsford cathedral on 24 January
1936 with an interment at Cheshunt.

The Cathedral was packed with people and messages of sympathy
came from many organisations across Essex.

In November 1937 a memorial to Sir Richard was unveiled at
Chelmsford Cathedral.